Chris Lombardi puts defense and security under the spotlight, as he shares his takes on recent NATO and EU cooperation and provides insight into the company’s own long-term strategic partnerships in Europe.

Three trends are currently driving the global electricity sector: decarbonization, decentralization and differentiation. Utilities are making significant contributions to mitigate carbon emissions, while a technology revolution is …

29-30 April European Parliament plenary session

MEPS anticipated the meetings of EU leaders and finance ministers in Brussels two days later by overwhelminglyadopting a resolution from German Christian Democrat member Karl von Wogau welcoming the introduction of the singlecurrency by 11 member states. However, they added a note of caution by stating that Italy and Belgium had to give concretecommitments on reducing their debt levels. At the same time, the Parliament made it clear that Union governments should endtheir argument over the first president of the new European Central Bank and propose just one candidate for the post for MEPs’approval.

European Voice

5/6/98, 5:00 PM CET

Updated 4/12/14, 3:18 AM CET

DETAILS of the recent peace agreement for Northern Ireland were presented to MEPs by both the UK Secretary of State MoMowlam and Irish Foreign Minister David Andrews. Each paid generous tribute to the support, both financial and political,which the Union had given to the people of Northern Ireland over the years. Via its various funds, the EU has contributed morethan 2 billion ecu in aid to the province over the past six years. A resolution adopted by the Parliament described the agreement”as offering a truly historic opportunity for a new beginning”.

A SUBSTANTIAL effort is needed if the Union is to meet its target of doubling the share of renewable energy used by 2010,warned German Green MEP Claudia Roth. EU governments, which will consider the Union’s 22-million-ecu Altener IImultiannual renewable energy programme later this month, were urged to upgrade the scheme’s importance and to ensure thatsufficient funds will be available to help meet the wider target of reducing CO2 emissions by 15% by 2010.

PLANS for a single market in natural gas already agreed by EU governments were adopted unamended by the Parliament.

MEPs gave their approval after the parliamentary rapporteur, Belgian Socialist Claude Desama, told his colleagues that thelegislation would allow member states enough time to introduce the changes and would contribute to a progressive opening upof the natural gas market.

A NEW draft convention designed to iron out problems which arise over custody of children when their parents divorce wonthe Parliament’s support. Under the scheme, a divorce granted in one member state would automatically be recognised inanother, although a temporary exemption would be granted to Ireland. The change would considerably simplify existingprocedures on the award of child custody.